Chaka Demus says taxi man threatened to shoot him

Reggae-dancehall veteran Chaka Demus claims he was threatened by an armed taxi driver on Tuesday.

According to the Bam Bam artiste, the incident occurred inside the Port Henderson Plaza in Portmore, St Catherine, and was as a result of him asking the driver to give way.

"I was driving in the plaza and when me look me see a taxi man come block up the drive way. So me press me horn to alert him. He didn't move so I pressed the horn twice and at that time me see the man, the driver, come out shouting ray ray ray... 'Hey b****boy come move di car an' see if me nuh full you up a shot' and back him gun," Chaka Demus recounted. He continued: "It was in broad daylight around 2 p.m. so I wasn't scared as much as I was shocked at his reaction to me trying to get his attention that he was blocking the way."

However, the veteran artiste said that he did not make an official report to the police. "In that moment, I was unable to get the licence plate number of the vehicle," he said.

Chaka Demus further explained that he had no intention to take the matter to the police and that he was grateful to be alive. He wanted to make the country aware that a person does not have to be in any wrongdoings to be targeted or attacked and that even persons with licensed firearms are acting irresponsibly.

"My fellow Jamaicans you need to wake up and understand that we are living in an indisciplined, lawless society and it's only getting worse," he said. "Monitor what the little ones are being exposed to on their phones and make them aware. Know who they are associated with and instill positive morals within them and their friends. Most importantly we need to put Jehovah first."

When asked if he thought members of the society were acting out of frustration due to the pandemic, Chaka Demus' answer was no.

"I don't believe the conditions of the pandemic would cause any individual to use might and try to beat right. I was just asking him to move him vehicle and allow me to pass but instead he resorted to violence by threatening me with his firearm," he said.